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Re: 2014 MLS thread

I am a new fan (thanks, World Cup and FIFA 14!). I find myself really, really wishing Phoenix would get an MLS team although having done some thorough Wiki searching yields no potential fruit in the near future for Phoenix. So I don't really have a team, but I find myself most interested in the Sounders because I too like Yedlin and Dempsey, although I guess Yedlin is technically just on loan with them for now, as Tottenham purchased him a week or two back.

Re: 2014 MLS thread

I am a new fan (thanks, World Cup and FIFA 14!). I find myself really, really wishing Phoenix would get an MLS team although having done some thorough Wiki searching yields no potential fruit in the near future for Phoenix. So I don't really have a team, but I find myself most interested in the Sounders because I too like Yedlin and Dempsey, although I guess Yedlin is technically just on loan with them for now, as Tottenham purchased him a week or two back.

I got on to MLS for the same reasons as you, FIFA and the World Cup , I am also a new fan, I happen to think that MLS is pretty underrated, no its not the premier league or anything but it is a good league.

Re: 2014 MLS thread

Obafemi Martins finds Clint Dempsey who puts Seattle up 2-0. I know those two have struggled recently, but that duo is very dangerous. Henry and Wright-Phillips in New York is the only one that comes close imo.

Re: 2014 MLS thread

I have a hard time really getting into MLS. I find myself gravitating towards the Premier League. Especially right now when Manchester United is crapping themselves so spectacularly. Getting beat 4-0 in the (lame) Capital One Cup to MK Dons is pretty egregious.

Re: 2014 MLS thread

I live in DC and I had no idea DC United was the #1 seed in the East, and I'm a huge soccer fan. I don't think I could name five players on the team. From a marketing standpoint, the MLS is pretty lackluster. Maybe it's different in other cities like Portland or Seattle, but in DC, unless you're "in" with the local soccer community, know the local bar to watch the games, etc. you're going to be out of the loop. I think that speaks to MLS' greatest deficiency. They need to reach a larger audience. How many games are on local broadcast television? I know ESPN2 and NBC Sports caries a handful or so, but countless games are only on local sports networks, and others only on the League Pass equivalent "MLS Live." Where are the weekend games? NBC would rather show the PL. Fox would rather show college football. ABC has the WNBA this coming weekend. Can't the MLS fit in somewhere between the hours and hours of golf and NASCAR coverage? One game a week at least? Have a few test runs. If the demand isn't there, then pull it. But if soccer is really growing in this country, then let's put our money where our mouth is.

Re: 2014 MLS thread

I live in DC and I had no idea DC United was the #1 seed in the East, and I'm a huge soccer fan. I don't think I could name five players on the team. From a marketing standpoint, the MLS is pretty lackluster. Maybe it's different in other cities like Portland or Seattle, but in DC, unless you're "in" with the local soccer community, know the local bar to watch the games, etc. you're going to be out of the loop. I think that speaks to MLS' greatest deficiency. They need to reach a larger audience. How many games are on local broadcast television? I know ESPN2 and NBC Sports caries a handful or so, but countless games are only on local sports networks, and others only on the League Pass equivalent "MLS Live." Where are the weekend games? NBC would rather show the PL. Fox would rather show college football. ABC has the WNBA this coming weekend. Can't the MLS fit in somewhere between the hours and hours of golf and NASCAR coverage? One game a week at least? Have a few test runs. If the demand isn't there, then pull it. But if soccer is really growing in this country, then let's put our money where our mouth is.

There usually is one nationally televised MLS game a week, I believe every weekend or close to every weekend NBC sports or ESPN will televise an MLS game or sometimes more than one. Every week I have gotten into MLS there has been a nationally televised game at least. NBS sports actually is carrying 2 games this weekend, one on Friday and one on Sunday. ESPN does have a ESPNFC show a few times a week where popular soccer topics are discussed which always includes MLS topics.

Re: 2014 MLS thread

I think I agree with David Beckham who says the salary cap needs to go, or at least increase it. No other major soccer league has a salary cap, which is part of the reason MLS struggles to get top players who aren't past their prime. I understand removing the salary cap can cause problems such as what the NASL went through, but if MLS ever wants to compete with the top leagues or come at least close to them the salary cap needs to be either raised or removed.

Re: 2014 MLS thread

I think I agree with David Beckham who says the salary cap needs to go, or at least increase it. No other major soccer league has a salary cap, which is part of the reason MLS struggles to get top players who aren't past their prime. I understand removing the salary cap can cause problems such as what the NASL went through, but if MLS ever wants to compete with the top leagues or come at least close to them the salary cap needs to be either raised or removed.

I disagree on the abolishing of the salary cap. I think the other leagues need to establish a salary cap.

Now raising it I can agree with, but that is a problem of economics. Simply, it is not economic for the MLS. It isn't popular enough to be able to compete with the top European leagues. In order to try to compete by offering competitive contracts they will lose a lot of money, and it would very likely cause the league to go bankrupt. The MLS simply isn't ready to compete with Europe on that level. I do not know if they could raise the salary cap as of right now, but I know they cannot raise it enough to compete with European teams for top talent.

They need to grow their brand first in the USA. In the USA non-salary capped leagues do not fly anymore as it is seen (and is) to give larger markets an unfair advantage. So if the league wants to be successful in the USA, which is necessary for its survival, it cannot get rid of the cap. I think a strategy of focusing on keeping USA talent, and bringing over older stars is a smart one. I think allowing the top USA talent to go to Europe and establish themselves then bring them back while still in their prime would also be a great strategy to grow the league.

Re: 2014 MLS thread

I disagree on the abolishing of the salary cap. I think the other leagues need to establish a salary cap.

Now raising it I can agree with, but that is a problem of economics. Simply, it is not economic for the MLS. It isn't popular enough to be able to compete with the top European leagues. In order to try to compete by offering competitive contracts they will lose a lot of money, and it would very likely cause the league to go bankrupt. The MLS simply isn't ready to compete with Europe on that level. I do not know if they could raise the salary cap as of right now, but I know they cannot raise it enough to compete with European teams for top talent.

They need to grow their brand first in the USA. In the USA non-salary capped leagues do not fly anymore as it is seen (and is) to give larger markets an unfair advantage. So if the league wants to be successful in the USA, which is necessary for its survival, it cannot get rid of the cap. I think a strategy of focusing on keeping USA talent, and bringing over older stars is a smart one. I think allowing the top USA talent to go to Europe and establish themselves then bring them back while still in their prime would also be a great strategy to grow the league.

I can certainly see that POV, and I wouldn't mean abolish it right now, but the salary cap certainly needs to increase.